JP7453390B2 - Wireless sensor network gateway with built-in intrinsically safe output for field-mounted access point antennas - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a wireless sensor network gateway for powering and communicating with one or more access point smart antennas for wireless sensors located in a hazardous environment.

Industrial process field devices are used in industrial process control and monitoring systems to monitor industrial process variables and/or interact with industrial processes using process sensors (e.g., pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) one or more control devices (e.g., actuators, valves, etc.) that

Industrial processes that are often controlled or monitored are hazardous environments where there is a constant risk of fire or explosion, such as environments with atmospheres containing flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dusts, ignitable fibers, etc. in the environment. According to industry accepted practice for classifying hazardous environments, environments in which, under normal operating conditions, flammable gases or vapors have or are likely to have ignitable concentrations are classified as Zone 0, Zone 1 or Division 1 areas, while environments where ignition concentrations of flammable gases or vapors are likely to occur only under abnormal conditions are designated as Zone 2 or Division 2 areas. An environment free of combustible or flammable materials is commonly referred to as a non-hazardous or safe area.

Field devices placed in hazardous environments generally must be constructed to be explosion protected using certified techniques such as "intrinsic safety." Intrinsically safe devices limit the amount of energy present within electronic equipment and ensure that electronic components are sufficiently spaced so that arcing does not occur in the event of an electrical failure. prevent ignition. Heat generated by electronic components is also controlled. For equipment used in Zone 2 or Division 2 hazardous environments, the requirements are less stringent because flammable or combustible substances are only present in ignitable concentrations under unusual circumstances.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0348041

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wireless sensor network gateway located in a non-hazardous environment and configured to power and communicate data to one or more antennas of a wireless sensor network located in a hazardous environment. . In one embodiment, the gateway includes a safe circuit, a dangerous circuit, and an isolated circuit. The safe circuits include a safe power supply circuit configured to receive power from a non-intrinsically safe power source and a safe data input/output (I/O) circuit configured to communicate data with non-intrinsically safe equipment. including. The dangerous circuit includes a dangerous power supply circuit configured to supply power to the antenna, and a dangerous data input/output circuit configured to transfer data signals to and from the antenna. Isolated circuits separate safe circuits from hazardous circuits. The isolation circuit is a power isolation circuit that connects the safe power circuit to the dangerous power circuit to form an intrinsically safe barrier between the safe power circuit and the dangerous power circuit, and a power isolation circuit that connects the safe data input/output circuit to the dangerous power circuit. A data isolation circuit is coupled to the data input/output circuit and forms an intrinsically safe barrier between the safe data input/output circuit and the hazardous data input/output circuit. The gateway housing supports safe circuits, hazardous circuits, and isolated circuits.

Another embodiment of the gateway is configured to power and communicate data to multiple antennas of a wireless sensor network located in a hazardous environment. The gateway includes a safe circuit, a dangerous circuit, and an isolated circuit. The safe circuit includes a safe power circuit configured to receive power from the non-intrinsically safe power source and a plurality of safe data input/outputs (I/Os) each configured to communicate data with the non-intrinsically safe equipment. O) circuit. The hazardous circuit includes a hazardous power circuit configured to power the plurality of antennas and a hazardous power circuit configured to provide power to the plurality of antennas, each configured to pass data signals to and from one of the plurality of antennas. side data input/output circuit. Isolated circuits separate safe circuits from hazardous circuits. The isolation circuits include power isolation circuits that couple the safe power circuits to the hazardous power circuits and form an intrinsically safe barrier between the safe power circuits and the hazardous power circuits; One of the output circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of dangerous data input/output circuits, and a connection is made between the plurality of safe data input/output circuits and the plurality of corresponding dangerous data input/output circuits. a plurality of data isolation circuits forming an intrinsically safe barrier. The gateway housing supports safe circuits, hazardous circuits, and isolated circuits.

This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are described later in the Detailed Description. This Summary of the Invention is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, but is to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. It's not even intended. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages mentioned in the background section.

1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an industrial process sensor network including a wireless sensor network gateway, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example gateway, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating power and data connections for connecting the gateway of FIG. 2 to multiple antennas, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example wireless sensor network including an example gateway, according to embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating power and data connections for connecting the gateway of FIG. 4 to multiple antennas, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating the gateway of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example of a wireless sensor network gateway, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a wireless sensor network of an industrial process control system according to the prior art; FIG.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements identified using the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements. However, the various embodiments of this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

As used herein, the term "hazardous environment" refers to an environment classified as hazardous (e.g., an environment classified as Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2, Division 1 or Division 2) that Devices must meet certain explosion-proof safety standards, such as intrinsic safety standards. As used herein, the term "non-hazardous environment" or "safe environment" refers to an environment that is classified as not hazardous and where electronic field devices are not required to meet explosion protection safety standards, or where explosion protection requirements are less stringent. Refers to environments within Zone 2 or Division 2 territory.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram of a wireless sensor network 300 of an industrial process control system according to the prior art. The illustrated system uses a wireless process variable sensor (wireless process variable sensor).
variable sensors) 302 are located in a hazardous environment 304 and configured to wirelessly communicate data with an access point smart antenna 306. Additionally, antenna 306 is typically placed in close proximity to sensor 302 within hazardous environment 304 to achieve the best network performance. As a result, both sensor 302 and antenna 306 need to be configured as inherently safe devices in order to operate in hazardous environment 304.

Wireless sensor network gateway 310 is used to power antenna 306 and route data signals delivered from antenna 306 to non-intrinsically safe (NIS) equipment 312 . The power necessary to operate the gateway 310 is provided by the NIS power supply 314, so the gateway 310 is designed to meet essential safety requirements for hazardous environments with strict limits on voltage, current, and power. is unrealistic. Therefore, the gateway 310 must be located in a Zone 2 or Division 2 area, or in a non-hazardous environment 316, where explosion protection requirements are less stringent.

Data signals may be communicated between antenna 306 and gateway 310 via wired data connection 318 and power may be provided from gateway 310 to antenna 306 via wired power connection 320. Intrinsically safe barriers 322 and 324 are installed along connections 318 and 320 between gateway 310 and antenna 306 in non-hazardous area 316 to ensure that antenna 306 meets the intrinsic safety standards of hazardous environment 304. It is provided.

The arrangement of separated gateway 310 and intrinsically safe barriers 322 and 324 illustrated in FIG. Generally corresponds to the conventional configuration. However, one significant drawback of this partitioned approach is that it requires the customer to purchase and install appropriate intrinsically safe barriers 322 and 324 between gateway 310 and antenna 306. . Such barriers 322 and 324 that fit a particular application can be difficult to find and expensive to purchase and install. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions to these and other problems and provide advantages over conventional wireless sensor network gateways 310.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an industrial process sensor network 100 having a wireless sensor network gateway 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Network 100 also includes one or more intrinsically safe access point smart antennas 104 (e.g., Emerson 781 remote links) and one or more wireless sensors 106 that can be placed within a hazardous environment 108. Designed according to intrinsic safety standards. Sensor 106 may be configured to detect, measure, or relay process variables (eg, pressure, temperature, level, etc.) of an industrial process. Sensor 106 communicates data signals to and from antenna 104 wirelessly (eg, via RF signals).

Gateway 102 is configured to be located within Zone 2, Division 2, or a non-hazardous environment 112 and provides power to antenna 104 via a wired power connection 114 and communicates with antenna 104 via a wired data connection 116. Communicate data between. Gateway 102 generally includes safe circuitry 120, isolation circuitry 122, and dangerous circuitry 124. A housing 126 of gateway 102 supports and may surround some or all of circuits 120, 122, and 124.

Safe side circuit 120 is generally configured to connect with non-intrinsically safe power source 128 and non-intrinsically safe equipment 130, similar to gateway 210 of FIG. Accordingly, safe circuit 120 facilitates communication of data signals between antenna 104 and non-intrinsically safe equipment 130 and may use power received from non-intrinsically safe power source 128 to power antenna 104. can.

Risk circuitry 124 is generally configured to power circuitry of antenna 104 via wired power connection 114 and to facilitate data communication with antenna 104 via wired data connection 116 . Isolation circuit 122 is configured to provide an intrinsically safe barrier between hazardous circuit 124 and safe circuit 120 and is connected to power connection 114 and data connection 116 and to antenna 104 along connections 114 and 116. The electrical signals generated by the antenna 104 are made to meet the required intrinsic safety standards for the antenna 104. In some embodiments, connections 114 and 116 are provided in a single cable extending between gateway 102 and antenna 104.

In one embodiment, gateway 102 may be connected to a computerized control unit 132, which may be located remotely from gateway 102 in a control room 134, as shown in FIG. Control unit 132 may be communicatively coupled to gateway 102 via a suitable physical communication link, such as a two-wire control loop 136, or a wireless communication link. Accordingly, control room 134 may operate as a non-intrinsically safe device 130 communicating data signals to and from antenna 104 via gateway 102.

Communication between control unit 132 and gateway 102 may be performed via control loop 136 according to conventional analog and/or digital communication protocols. In some embodiments, control loop 136 includes a two-wire, 4-20 milliamp control loop that controls process variables or other signals detected by one of sensors 106 and communicated to gateway 102 by antenna 104. The value of may be represented by the level of loop current I flowing through control loop 136. An exemplary digital communication protocol includes modulation of a digital signal on the analog current level of the two-wire control loop 136, such as in accordance with the HART® communication standard. Other purely digital technologies may also be employed, including FieldBus and Profibus communication protocols.

The gateway 102 may be powered by any suitable power source 128, such as an A.C. power main, power over Ethernet, a battery, a generator (solar panel, wind generator, etc.), or another power source. may be powered by. In one embodiment, control room 132 may configure power supply 128 by powering gateway 102 using current I flowing through control loop 136, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of an example gateway 102A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, secure circuitry 120 of gateway 102A includes a secure power supply circuit 140 and a secure data input/output (I/O) circuit 142. Power supply circuit 140 operates to receive power 144 from NIS power supply 128, and data I/O circuit 142 communicates data signals 146 with NIS equipment 130, which may include control unit 132 (FIG. 1) and/or other equipment. act to communicate.

In one embodiment, the dangerous circuit 124 of the gateway 102A includes a dangerous power circuit 148 that provides power 150 to the antenna 104 via the power connection 114. In some embodiments, hazardous power circuit 148 processes power 150 (e.g., regulates or limits power, voltage, and/or current) before discharging it through power connection 114. .

The hazardous circuit 124 of the gateway 102A may also include a hazardous data I/O circuit 152 that facilitates communication of data signals 146 between the antenna 104 and the gateway 102A via the data connection 116. The hazardous data I/O circuit 152 and/or the safe data I/O circuit 142 may use RS-485, Foundation Fieldbus, or Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe when communicating data signals 146 with the antenna 104 and/or equipment 130. Concept (FISCO: Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe Concept), IEE
The data communication standard may be configured to implement a data communication standard, such as E 802.3cg/APL/2-WISE.

The isolation circuit 122 of the gateway 102A includes a power isolation circuit 154 that couples the safe power circuit 140 to the hazardous power circuit 148 and that connects the safe power circuit 140 and the hazardous power circuit 148. form an intrinsically safe barrier. The intrinsically safe barrier of the power isolation circuit 154 can block power passing directly between the safe power circuit 140 and the hazardous power circuit 148 and/or block any non-intrinsically safe power received from the safe power circuit 140. The input power 144' may be converted to intrinsically safe power 144''. The hazardous power circuit 148 optionally converts the power 150 from the power isolation circuit before providing the power 150 along the power connection 114 to the antenna 104. Intrinsically safe power 144'' is processed.

The isolation circuit 122 of the gateway 102A also includes a data isolation circuit 156 that couples the safe data I/O circuit 142 to the dangerous data I/O circuit 152 and connects the safe data I/O circuit 142 to the dangerous data I/O circuit 152. Forms an intrinsically safe barrier between circuit 142 and hazardous data I/O circuit 152. In some embodiments, the intrinsically safe barrier of data isolation circuit 156 forms a barrier that blocks electrical signals transmitting directly between safe data I/O circuit 142 and hazardous data I/O circuit 152. . This isolation prevents current or voltage spikes in safe data I/O circuit 142 from reaching dangerous data I/O circuit 152 and antenna 104.

In some embodiments, gateway 102A is configured to power and communicate with multiple access point smart antennas 104. FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating power connections 114 and data connections 116 for connecting gateway 102A to multiple antennas 104 (such as antennas 104A and 104B that communicate with corresponding sensors 106A and 106B, respectively). To simplify the illustration, only the hazardous power supply circuit 148 and the hazardous data I/O circuit 152 of the gateway 102 are shown.

In one embodiment, separate power connections 114A and 114B are used to power antenna 104 from a single power channel formed by safe power circuit 140, power isolation circuit 154, and hazardous power circuit 148. can be used. Alternatively, separate and separate power channels may be provided for each antenna 104 of network 100.

Data between a single data channel formed by safe data I/O circuit 142, data isolation circuit 156, and hazardous data I/O circuit 152 of gateway 102A and each of multiple antennas 104A and 104B. Communication may be facilitated by data connections 116 in the form of a common data communication bus extending from the hazardous data I/O circuit to each of antennas 104A and 104B, as shown in FIG. Gateway 102A may provide data communication with additional antennas 104 in a similar manner. Thus, data communication protocols such as Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, and FISCO may be implemented using separate drops from bus 116 to each of the plurality of antennas 104. The IEEE 802.3cg/APL/2-WISE communication protocol is implemented by including an APL field switch in a single data channel, such as at risk data I/O circuit 152, for multiple access point smart antennas 104. Good too.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of an example wireless sensor network 100 including an example gateway 102B, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The primary distinction between gateway 102B and gateway 102A (FIG. 2) is that they include multiple data communication channels (eg, 0-n), each of which is connected to secure data I/O circuitry 142. , a data isolation circuit 156 , and a connected set of hazardous data I/O circuits 152 . Each of the data communication channels is configured to communicate data between a corresponding device 130(0-n) and a corresponding antenna 104(0-n). Each of the data communication channels is described above with respect to a single data communication channel of gateway 102A (FIG. 2) formed by safe data I/O circuit 142, data isolation circuit 156, and hazardous data I/O circuit 152. can operate in the same way.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating power connections 114 and data connections 116 for connecting gateway 102B to multiple antennas 104 (such as antennas 104A and 104B that communicate with corresponding sensors 106A and 106B, respectively). To simplify the illustration, only two of the hazardous power supply circuit 148 and the hazardous data I/O circuit 152 of the gateway 102B are shown.

In one embodiment, separate power connections 114A and 114B may be used to provide power 150 from hazardous power circuit 148 to multiple antennas 104A and 104B. Power may be provided to additional antennas 104 in a similar manner.

Data communication between each of the dangerous data I/O lines 152 of gateway 102B and multiple antennas 104A and 104B is facilitated by separate data connections 116A and 116B, each connected to one of the data communication channels of gateway 102B. may be converted into Gateway 102B may provide data communication with additional antennas 104 in a similar manner.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of gateway 102B, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The features shown in FIG. 6 may be applied to gateway 102A where applicable.

In one embodiment, safe power circuit 140 includes a fuse 160 configured to open the circuit in the event of a power surge. The safe power circuit 140 may include one or more connectors 162 for connecting the safe power circuit 140 to one or more cables 164 that may be connected to the NIS power source 128.

One embodiment of power isolation circuit 154 includes a transformer 166 that blocks the direct passage of power 144' from safe power circuit 140 to hazardous power circuit 148. Transformer 166 receives power 144' from power supply 128 at its input and transmits power 144' to its output. In some embodiments, transformer 166 receives power 144' from power supply 128 at its input. It is also a step-down transformer that discharges 144" of power to the output side at a low voltage.

Hazardous power circuit 148 may include a fuse 170 and/or voltage output regulation circuit 172 configured to open the circuit in the event of a power surge. Voltage output regulation circuit 172 may operate to regulate the voltage of power 144'' to form power 150 that meets the intrinsically safe power requirements of one or more antennas 104 receiving power 150. Voltage output The regulation circuit 172 can take various forms and can include power limiting members such as Zener diodes and resistors. The hazardous power circuit 148 also forms one or more power connections 114. A connector 174 may be included for connecting one or more cables.

Each of the one or more secure data I/O circuits 142 of gateway 102B is configured to limit the current and/or voltage of data signals 146 communicated between the corresponding NIS equipment 130 and data isolation circuit 156. The power limiting circuit 176 may include a power limiting circuit 176 configured to. Power limiting circuit 176 may take various forms and may include current, voltage and/or power limiting members (eg, resistors, fuses, Zener diodes, etc.). In some embodiments, secure data I/O circuit 142 includes a connector 178 for connecting secure data circuit 142 to one or more cables 180 that may be connected to NIS equipment 130.

Each of the one or more hazardous data I/O circuits 152 of the gateway 102B is configured to limit the current and/or voltage of the data signal 146 communicated between the data isolation circuit 156 and the corresponding antenna 104. A configured power limiting circuit 182 may be included. Power limiting circuit 182 may be formed in a manner similar to power limiting circuit 176 described above and may include current, voltage, and/or power limiting components (e.g., resistors, fuses, Zener diodes, etc.). . In some embodiments, hazardous data I/O circuit 152 includes a connector 184 for connecting to one or more cables forming data connection 116.

Each of the one or more data isolation circuits 156 of the gateway 102B may include a galvanic data isolation circuit 186 that provides complete galvanic isolation to the hazardous data I/O circuit 152 and the corresponding antenna 104. This simplifies the wiring forming the data connection 116 and makes it resistant to transient potential differences and ground potential differences. Additionally, data isolation circuit 156 and hazardous data I/O circuit 152 are configured to tolerate inadvertent disconnection, interconnection, and grounding of data connection wiring, thereby ensuring that data connection 116 wiring is standard. This makes it possible to mix in a low-cost cable 188. This reduces wiring installation costs and complexity.

In one embodiment, galvanic data isolation circuit 186 includes a suitable optical coupler 190 that prevents electrical signals from directly transmitting between safe data I/O circuit 142 and hazardous data I/O circuit 152. ing. Optical coupler 190 generally converts data signal 146 received from hazardous data I/O circuit 152 into an optical signal, transmits the optical signal over an optical path, converts the optical signal into an electrical data signal, and converts the optical signal into an electrical data signal. A signal 146 is output to the safe side data I/O circuit 142. Similarly, the optical coupler 190 also converts the data signal 146 received from the secure data I/O circuit 142 into an optical signal, transmits the optical signal over an optical path, converts the optical signal into an electrical data signal, The electrical data signal 146 may be configured to output to the hazardous data I/O circuit 152.

Accordingly, a gateway 102 formed according to one or more of the embodiments described above incorporates an isolation circuit 122 that connects to terminals of one or more antennas located in a hazardous environment 108. In contrast, power connection 114 and data connection 116 and the electrical signals communicated over the connections are inherently secure. Therefore, gateway 102 does not require additional external intrinsically safe barriers of conventional gateway 310, such as barriers 322 and 324 shown in FIG.

Intrinsic safety requirements that may be required for a given wireless sensor network may depend on the particular type of hazardous environment in which one or more smart antennas may be placed. Additionally, intrinsic safety standards for a given hazardous environment may vary from country to country and may change over time. As a result, it may be necessary to customize the circuitry of gateway 102 depending on its application. Additionally, it may be necessary to periodically update the circuitry of an installed gateway 102 or repair malfunctioning circuitry of the gateway 102 to meet new intrinsic safety standards.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of an example wireless sensor network gateway 102 configured to simplify customization and updating of circuits of the gateway 102, such as isolation circuit 122 and/or hazardous circuit 124. In one embodiment, the housing 126 of the gateway 102 includes one or more module receptacles, generally designated 200, each configured to receive a corresponding module 202. In one embodiment, each module 202 includes at least a portion of the isolated circuit 122 and/or at least a portion of the hazardous circuit 124. The module is inserted into a corresponding module receptacle to connect a portion of the isolated circuit 122 and/or a portion of the dangerous circuit 124 to the corresponding safe circuit 120 to form an operational gateway 102. Can be done. A connector 204, such as a tab and detent connector, or other suitable connector, operates to secure each module 202 within its module receptacle 200. As a result, the gateway 102 can be easily customized for a given application by inserting modules 202 that the particular application requires for the gateway, or for example, to meet current intrinsic safety standards. Maintenance (updates, repairs, etc.) can be easily performed by replacing one or more existing modules 202 of a missing or malfunctioning gateway with new modules 202.

In one example, the gateway 102 includes one or more power modules 202A that include some or all of the power isolation circuit 154 and/or some or all of the hazardous power circuit 148, and the housing 126 includes a power module receiver 200A configured to receive a power module 202A, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, embodiments of power module 202A include all or a portion of power isolation circuit 154 and/or all or a portion of hazardous power circuit 148. Power isolation circuit 154 and/or the remaining circuits of hazardous power circuit 148 may remain supported by housing 126 when power module 202A is removed from receiver 200A. When power module 202A is fully received within receptacle 200A, electrical connections are made between safe power circuit 140, power isolation circuit 154, and hazardous power circuit 148. Additional power modules 202A and corresponding receptacles 200A may be implemented in gateway 102 to provide multiple power sources.

Gateway 102 may also include one or more data modules 202B, each of which includes at least a portion of data isolation circuitry 156 and/or a portion of hazardous data circuitry 152, and a housing. 126 includes one or more data module receptacles 200B, each configured to receive one of the data modules 202B, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, embodiments of data module 202B include all or a portion of data isolation circuitry 156 and/or all or a portion of hazardous data circuitry 152. Data isolation circuit 156 and/or the remaining circuits of hazardous data circuit 152 may remain supported by housing 126 when data module 202B is removed from receiver 200B. When data module 202B is fully received within receptacle 200B, electrical connections are made between safe data circuitry 142, data isolation circuitry 156, and hazardous data I/O circuitry 152.

In some embodiments, the shape of module receptacle 200 is configured to prevent a user from inserting data module 202B into power module receptacle 200A or to prevent a user from inserting power module 202A into data module receptacle 200B. To prevent this, the corresponding module 202 is keyed. For example, the profile of the module 202 and the socket of the module receiver 200 may include features such as tabs and grooves that allow the module 202 to be inserted only into the intended module receiver 200.

In some embodiments, the gateway 102 may include a fill module that does not include circuitry, and the fill module may be used to plug the open module receptacle 200.

The housing may include a cover 206 for the module receiver 200, as shown in phantom. Cover 206 may be removed to install module 202 within module receptacle 200 and then installed to protect circuitry of module 202 and gateway 102 from environmental conditions.

Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Dew.

Claims (20)

Used to monitor or control process variables of an industrial process , located in a non-hazardous environment and configured to power and communicate data to the antenna of a wireless sensor network located in a hazardous environment. A wireless sensor network gateway for industrial processes , comprising:
A safe power supply circuit configured to receive power from a non-intrinsically safe power source and non-intrinsically safe equipment including a remotely located industrial process control unit and process variable data related to process variables of the industrial process. a safe side data input/output circuit configured to communicate; and a safe side circuit including;
a hazardous power circuit configured to power the antenna; and a remotely located wireless field device used to sense or control a process variable of the industrial process. a hazardous data input/output circuit configured to pass data signals related to the process variable data to and from the antenna to communicate the process variable data to and from the antenna; and,
an isolation circuit that separates the safe side circuit from the dangerous side circuit, the safe side power supply circuit is coupled to the dangerous side power supply circuit, and an intrinsically safe circuit is provided between the safe side power supply circuit and the dangerous side power supply circuit; A power isolation circuit forming a barrier, the safe side data input/output circuit being coupled to the dangerous side data input/output circuit, and an intrinsically safe barrier between the safe side data input/output circuit and the dangerous side data input/output circuit. a data isolation circuit forming a data isolation circuit;
a housing that supports the safe side circuit, the dangerous side circuit, and the insulated circuit;
A gateway with The gateway of claim 1, wherein the power isolation circuit includes a transformer. 3. The gateway of claim 2, wherein the data isolation circuit includes a galvanic isolation circuit. 4. The gateway of claim 3, wherein the galvanic isolation circuit includes an optical coupler. 4. The gateway of claim 3, wherein the dangerous power circuit includes a voltage output adjustment circuit configured to adjust the voltage of the power supplied to the antenna. 6. The gateway according to claim 5, wherein the safe power supply circuit includes a fuse. 4. The gateway according to claim 3, wherein the data isolation circuit is configured to block electrical signals directly transmitted between the safe data input/output circuit and the dangerous data input/output circuit. The safe side data input/output circuit and the dangerous side data input/output circuit have data selected from the group consisting of RS-485, Foundation Fieldbus, Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe Concept, and IEEE 802.3cg/APL/2-WISE. 4. The gateway of claim 3, configured to implement a communications standard. the housing includes a module receiver;
The gateway is
a module removably housed within the module receptacle, the module comprising at least a portion of the isolated circuit and/or at least a portion of the hazardous circuit;
a cooperating connector configured to secure the module within the module receptacle;
an electrical connection is formed between the safe circuit and a portion of the dangerous circuit and/or a portion of the isolated circuit when the module is housed in the module receiver;
The gateway according to claim 1. The module includes at least a portion of the power isolation circuit and/or at least a portion of the dangerous power supply circuit, at least a portion of the data isolation circuit and/or at least a portion of the dangerous data input/output circuit, 10. The gateway of claim 9, comprising one of: Used to monitor or control process variables in an industrial process , located in a non-hazardous environment and configured to power and communicate data to multiple antennas of a wireless sensor network located in a hazardous environment. A wireless sensor network gateway for an industrial process comprising :
non-intrinsically safe equipment including a safe power circuit configured to receive power from a non-intrinsically safe power source and a plurality of safe data input/output circuits, each of which includes a remotely located industrial process control unit; and a plurality of safe data input/output circuits configured to communicate process variable data related to process variables of the industrial process ;
a dangerous power supply circuit configured to supply power to the plurality of antennas, and a plurality of dangerous data input/output circuits, each of which is a remotely located wireless field device, and which is configured to supply power to the plurality of antennas; associated with said process variable data to or from one of said plurality of antennas for communicating said process variable data to or from a wireless field device used to sense or control a process variable of a process. a dangerous circuit including a plurality of dangerous data input/output circuits configured to deliver data signals;
an isolation circuit that separates the safe side circuit from the dangerous side circuit, the safe side power supply circuit is coupled to the dangerous side power supply circuit, and an intrinsically safe circuit is provided between the safe side power supply circuit and the dangerous side power supply circuit; a power isolation circuit forming a barrier; and a plurality of data isolation circuits, each of which connects one of the plurality of safe data input/output circuits to a corresponding one of the plurality of dangerous data input/output circuits. a plurality of data isolation circuits coupled together to form an intrinsically safe barrier between the plurality of safe data input/output circuits and the corresponding plurality of dangerous data input/output circuits;
a housing that supports the safe side circuit, the dangerous side circuit, and the insulated circuit;
A gateway with 12. The gateway of claim 11, wherein the power isolation circuit includes a transformer. 13. The gateway of claim 12, wherein each of the data isolation circuits includes at least one galvanic isolation circuit. 14. The gateway of claim 13, wherein the galvanic isolation circuit includes an optical coupler. 14. The gateway of claim 13, wherein the dangerous power supply circuit includes a voltage output regulation circuit configured to regulate the voltage of the power supplied to the antenna. 16. The gateway of claim 15, wherein the safe power circuit includes a fuse. 14. Each of the data isolation circuits is configured to block electrical signals directly transmitted between the connected safe data input/output circuit and the dangerous data input/output circuit. gateway. Each of the safe side data input/output circuits and/or each of the dangerous side data input/output circuits,
14. The data communication standard of claim 13, configured to implement a data communication standard selected from the group consisting of RS-485, Foundation Fieldbus, Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe Concept, and IEEE 802.3cg/APL/2-WISE. gateway. the housing includes a module receiver;
The gateway is
a module removably housed within the module receptacle, the module comprising at least a portion of the isolated circuit and/or at least a portion of the hazardous circuit;
a cooperating connector configured to secure the module within the module receptacle;
an electrical connection is formed between the safe circuit and a portion of the dangerous circuit and/or a portion of the isolated circuit when the module is housed in the module receiver;
Gateway according to claim 11. The module includes at least a portion of the power isolation circuit and/or at least a portion of the dangerous power supply circuit, at least a portion of the data isolation circuit and/or at least a portion of the dangerous data input/output circuit, 20. The gateway of claim 19 , comprising one of: